Material transport truck



N6v.14,1944. J, MOY 2,362,636

MATERIAL TRANSPORT TRUCK Original Filed Dec. 21, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 14, 1944. J, F, Joy 2,362,636

MATERIAL TRANSPORT TRUCK l Original Filed Dec. 21, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 Z5' wl u ,6-v 28 l 3 Am; Mum/m Nov. 14, 1944. J. F. JOY

MATERIAL TRANSPORT TRUCK original Filed DeQ. 21, 1938 l5 sheets-sheet 3 A working face of a mine, the truck l tired wheels adapted to run directly floor, thereby eliminating thenecessity of a mine invention may assume in I of the improved Patented Nov, 14, 1944 2,362,636 MATERIAL TRANSPORT TRUCK Joseph F. Joy, washington, n.V

C., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Original application December 21, 1938, Serial No. I K 246,961. Divided and this. application June 7, 1941, Serial No. 397,050 f l 16 Claims. (Cl. 180-50) This invention relates from one aspect to material transport tru'cks, and more particularly, but notexclusively, to an improved transport truck of the wheel-mounted, rubber-tired type especially designedfor use in trackless mines. From another aspect `-it relatesto propelling and steering mechanism for wheeled vehicles and to power supply means therefor. K,

An object of this invention is'to provide an improved material transport truck] Another object is to provide an improved transport truck especiallydesigned for use inmines. A further object is to provide an improved material transport truck of the wheel-mounted, rubber-tired type especially designed for use in trackless mines. A still further object isv to provide an improved transport truck havingA improved propelling means and improved means for steering the truck whereby the truck may easily negotiate the relatively sharply curved passages in an underground mine. Yet another object is to provide an im- Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic control means for the electric cable reel.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention, there is shown a material transport truck, or so-called portable coal buggy, nated I, herein of the wheel-mounted, rubbertired type especially designed for use lin trackless coal mines, and. comprising a mine-car type truck .body 2 mounted on transport wheels 3,

' the latter having pneumatic rubber tires of the proved material transport truck of relatively large capacity for transporting the material from the n being of relatively low overall height and mounted on rubberover the mine trackway. Still a further object of the invention is to provide an improved propelling and steering mechanism for wheeled vehicles. Another objectv isto provide an improved cable for the power conductor cable of such a transport truck. Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however,` hereinafter more fully ap- Dean This application is a division of my copending -application Serial No. 246,961, led December 21, 1938, `now matured into Patent No. 2,284,661, granted June 2, 1942.'

In the accompanying drawings thereis shown for purposes of illustrationone form which the practice. In these drawings: Fig. l'is a top plan 'view of an illustrative form transport truck. Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the truck shown in Fig. 1.i y n Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross. sectional, view taken substantially on line 3-3 of, 1lg.v 1.A f

Figa 4 is an enlarged cross sectional viewl taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal detail sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail horizontal sectional view tak/en on line 6-6 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, longitudinally extending,

vertical sectional View taken substantially on line 1-`I of Fig. l. i f Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the hydraulic uuid system.

reel mechanism conventional automotive type. The truck body is relatively low in height and generally rectangular in shape, and has vertical side walls 4 and 5, vertical end Walls 6 and l, and a horizontal bottom 8. The end w'alls are suitably rigidly se,- cured to end frames 9 and I0, and extendinglongitudinally between these end frames and rigidly secured thereto arev bottom frame members I I for connecting the end frames and bracing the i bottom plate 8. Also extending longitudinally of the truck at the opposite sides thereof nearl its top and rigidly secured in a suitable manner at their extremities to the upper portions of the vertical end walls 6 and 1, are rigid frame members I2 herein preferably in the form of angle irons. The side frame members I2 are laterally braced by transversely extending top frame mem--Y bers I3 preferably in the form of narrow cross bars secured at their extremities to the side frame members. Extending transversely of the truck body, midway between the end walls of the latter,

,- is a vertical plate I4 providing a partition which separates` the truck body into two material-receivingcompartments I5, I5. The vertical plate I4 is suitably rigidly secured to the bottom plate 8 andthe side frame members I2 in any suitable manner. As fully described in my copending 1 application Serial No. 246,961, above referred to,

sections of the sidewalls 4 and 5 of the truck body are pivotally mounted and may be swung about their pivots to eiect discharge of the material from the compartments I5, I5 laterally from one side' of the truckI body, and hydraulic cylinders I6 are provided for swinging the side wall sections of the truck body to effect discharge of the material. -As this material discharge means doesnot per se enter into the present invention,

further description thereof is herein unnecessary. i

In this illustrative construction, the rear truck wheels 3 are secured to alined axles I1. I1, respectively, herein suitably joumaled within an axle housing I8 (Fig. 3). 'I'his housing is secured to an upstanding cylindric support I9 jour'- naled for rotation on-a vertical axis in bearing sleeves supported by a bearing support 20 formed integral with the end frame I0. lAlso mounted on the housing I8 are motors 2l and 22, herein preferably of the reversible electric type, having their power shafts respectively connected through generally desigy bevel gearing 23, 24 to the truck wheel axles I1, I1, respectively, whereby the rear truck wheels may be independently driven. The front truck wheels 3 are secured to alined axles 25, 25, re-

spectively, herein suitably journaled in an axle housing 26 (Fig. 4). Mounted on the housing 26 are motors, similar to the motors 2l and 22, having their power shafts connected through bevel gears to bevel gears 21 and 28, respectively, secured to the axles 25. The front axle housing 26 is secured to an upstanding cylindric member 29 journaledfor rotation on an upright axis in l bearing sleeves supported by a frame 30; As shown in Fig. '1, this frame 30 is pivotally connected at 3I, for vertical swinging movement on a transverse axis, to a circular plate 32 in turn mounted in a bearing annulus 33 for rotation about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the truck. The pivotal axes are arranged in right angular relatin, thereby to provide a universal pivotal mounting for the front housing 26, thereby to enable the truck wheels to move over an uneven oor without substantial tilting of the truck body. The pivoted frame 30 has lateral arms 34, and interposed between the front frame 9 and these arms are coil springs 35,.these springs providing a yieldable shock absorbing connection between the axle housing and the truck body. Secured to the swivelled axle housings I8 and 26, respectively, are brake drums 3'6 and 31 with which brake bands 38 and 39 respectively cooperate. These brake bands when applied hold the axle frames I8 and 26 against swivelling movement on their upright axes relative to the truck body, and when either brake band is released one or the other of the housings I8, 26 may swing on its bearing vabout its upright axis to enable steering of the truck as it moves over the mine floor. Steering may be effected by independently or simultaneously driving the wheel driving motors in a manner simulating a tractor-tread drive whereby the wheels may be operated to eiect steering of the truckV through the drive thereof. The operating means for the brake bands 38 and 39 each comprise a cylinder 40 containing a reciprocable piston 4I. The front brake cylinder is mounted on the frame while the rear brake cylinder is mountedon the frame I0. Each piston has its piston rod 42 pivotally connected at 43 to a brake band operating lever 44. The lever 44 of each brake'is pivotally connected at one end to the brake band while the other end of the brake band is connected by a link 45 to the'lever 44, so that when the pistons 4I are moved inwardly in their cylinders against the action of coil springs 46, the brake bands may be applied through the lever and link 44,445.

The means for supplying liquid under pressure I to the cylinders I6 and 40 comprises a motor 41 (Figs. 1 and '1) mounted on the end frame section 9 at the forward end of the truck, and this motor has its power shaft connectedto a con- "ventional liquid pump 48 (see also Fig. 8) arranged within a liquid tank 48. Mounted on the end frame 9 is a valve box 50 having valve bores containing valves 5I, 52, 53 and 54 of a conventional design. This valve box has usual intake and discharge passages connected through supply and discharge conduits 55 and 56 to the pump discharge and 'liquid tank respectively. The valve box bores containing the valves 5I and 52 are respectively connected by conduits 51l and A 58 to the upper ends of the cylinders I6,-while the lower .ends of these cylinders are connected `53 and 54 respectively to the inner ends of the brake band operating cylinders 40. When the conduits 6I, 62 are connected to the discharge passage of the valve box, the liquid within the cylinders 40 is released so that at that time the springs 46 act on the pistons 4I to move the latter to ellect brake release. From the foregoing it is evident that either axle housing may be locked against swivelling movement with respect to the truck frame while the other axle housing may swing about its swivel mounting to eiect steering of the truck, and, at certain times, both brakes may be released, either wholly or partially, to permit controlled swivelling of both axle housings, thereby to enable the truck to negotiate a relatively sharply curved mine passage. The motors driving the truck wheels, one individual to each wheel, are of the Variable speed type and are controlled through a control box 63 `mounted on the front frame member 9, in the manner shown in Fig. l, and suitable control handles 64 are provided for independently controlling the wheel driving motors.

In this instance, mounted coaxially with the pivotal mounting for the rear axle housing I8 Ais an electric cable reel 65 arranged in a low compact horizontal position below the top of the truck body, and wound on this cable reel is the power conductor cable for the several motors.

This cable reel may be driven in cable'winding direction through a bevel gear 66 meshing with and driven by a bevel gear of the truck wheel driving means. As shown in Fig. 3, this bevel gear has a vertical stub shaft keyed to va vertical shaft 61 suitably journaled within the circular bearing support I9, and this shaft has an upstanding reduced portion 68 on which the cable reel is journaled. The cable reel.may be driven by the shaft 61 through a friction ring 69. Hydraulically operated means are provided for elevating the reel 65 to interrupt its drive through the friction ring 69, comprising pistons 10 contained in vertical cylinders 1 I. The pistons have rollers 12 engaging the bottom plane surface of the cable reel, so that when liquid under pressure issupplied to the lower sides of the pistons the reel may be elevated axially to release its drive through the friction ring. When the cable reel is released from its drive, the cable thereon may be freely unwound from the reel, and when the reel is lowered by the `pistons 10 into contact with the friction drive ring 68, the reel may be driven by the shaft 61 in a cable-winding direction.v The means for supplying liquid under pressure to the cylinders 1I comprises a cylinder liquid under pressure is forced through the con-y -able wheel driving duit I6 to the cylinders 'II at the lower sides of the pistons 10, thereby to raise 'the latter upwardly bodily to elevate the cable reel to disconnect its drive throught the friction ring 69. By trapping the liquid within the cylinder.13, the cable reel may be held in its elevated released position.

The mode of use of the improved transport truck will' be clearly apparent from the description given. When the truck is located at the working face of a coal mine, the compartments I5, I of the truck body may be lled with the coal dislodged from the coal face, in any suitable manner, and when the truck is filled for transport the driving motors for the `front and rear wheels vil may be simultaneously driven to effect propulsion of the truck about the mine. Steering of the truck may be effected by interrupting drive through one or the other of the' n eifect swinging of the frame sections of the side walls into their coal discharging position, in the manner fully described in the above mentioned copending application. When the coal is completely discharged from the truck body compartments, liquid under pressure may be supplied to the opposite ends of the cylinders I6, thereby to move the pivoted sections of the frame side walls back to their initial position. The universal pivotal spring mounting for the front axle housing 26 enables the truck to move over an uneven mine iioor without substantial tilting of the truck body, consequently preventingundue distortion of the frame parts. As the truck moves in one direction, the cable reel 65 may be operated to pay` out the power coniiuctor cable, and when the truck moves in the opposite direction, the cable reel may be operated\,to wind in the conductor cable by power. When the cable reel is elevated by the hydraulic cylinders, the cable reel drive will be interrupted, and at vthat time the cable reel may freely rotate.

As a result of this invention it will be noted `-that an improved material transport truck is provided which isv not only of relatively large capacity but is also low in height, a featureof considerable importance when the truck is operating in a mine having relatively low head room. It will further be noted that by the provision of the truck wheels, provided with pneumatic rubber tires engageable directly with the mine iioor, the improved truck may operate without the use of a mine trackway, thereby increasing free'- dom of movement of the truck while at the same time the cost of laying tracks throughout the mine :is eliminated. It W-illfurther be evident that by the provision of the improved wheel driv-A ing means including the independently operrnotors, the motor control means, and the axle housing brakes, the truck may be propelled about the mine and steered through the relativelysharply curved mine passages in'an improved manner. Other uses and advantages of the invention will be clearly) apparent to those skilled inthe art, and it will be During the steeringterial transport truck, in its broader aspects it apparent that though this invention in its specic embodiment is illustrated incorporated in a marelates to propelling and steering mechanism for wheeled vehicles without limitation as to type or field of use, and may be embodied in lcutting machines as well as transport devices, or used in transportation generally without restric-v tion to the eld of mining.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modled and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to securel by Letters Patent is:

1. A material transport truck comprising, in combination, a truck body, rear traction wheels for body,

v supporting said truck axle housings swivelled to swing independently relative to said truck body about upright against swinging movement axes, frictional brake means for independently yieldingly frictionally locking said axle housings axes and releasable to permit free swinging of said axle housings, and control means operable at will during travel of the truck for controlling said brake means, thereby to control swivelling of said axle housings and steering of the truck.

2. A material transport truck comprising, in combination, a truckv body, pairs of front and rear traction wheelsl for supporting said truck body, axle housings swivelled to swing independently relative to said truck body about upright axes, means for independently driving said wheels o1' both pairs to effect propulsion and steering of the truck, irictional brake means/tor independently yieldingly frictionally locking said axle housings against 'swinging movement about their pivotal axes and releasable to permit free swinging oi said axle housings, and control ,means operable at will during travel of the truck for controllingsaid brake means, thereby to control swivelling of said axle housings and steering of the truck. Y

3. In a material transport truck, in combination, a truck body, and running gear for said body including a plurality of wheels and swivelled mounting means for said wheels comprising an axle housing swivelled to turn about a vertical axis and said swivelled axle housing to said truck body and pivotally connected to the latter to swing relative thereto about rectangularly related axes distinct from the' swivel axis of said housing.

4. In a truck, in combination, a truck body, and running gear for said body including a plurality of wheels and swivelled mounting means for said wheels including an laxlei` housing swivelled to turn about a vertical axis and a frame movable in a vertical direction relative to thetruck body about a transverse axis and pivotally connected to said truck body on a longitudinal axis, said axle housing being swivelled on said vertically swingable frame.

body to swing in a vertical directionon'a horlpairs of front and about their pivotal means pivotally connecting zontal transversely extending axis and on which said axle housing is swivelled, and traction wheels having axles journaled in said axle housing.

6. A truck comprising, rin combination, a truck body, and supporting means therefor including swivelled wheel mounting means including an axle housing swivelled to turn about a vertical axis, a frame pivoted to swing in a vertical direction on a horizontal transversely extending axis and on which said axle housing is swivelled, a frame' pivotally connected to said truck bod'y to turn on a longitudinal axis and to which said vertically swingable frame is pivotally connected, and traction wheels having axles journaled in said axle housing.

7. A truck comprising, in combination, a truck body, and supporting means therefor, swivelled wheel mounting means including an axle housing swivelled to turn about a vertical axis, a frame pivotally connected to said truck body to swing in a vertical'direction on a horizontal transversely extending axis and on which said axle housing is swivelled, said frame having laterally projecting arms and resilient buiers between said arms and said truck body, 'and traction wheels having axles journaled in said axle housing.

8. In a truck, a truck body, supporting wheels therefor including pairs of front and rear steering and propelling wheels, said pairs of wheels swivelled to turn independently about vertical axes, driving motors, one individual to each wheel, for effecting propulsion of the truck,

means for independently controlling said motors to eiect swivelling of said wheels, thereby to steer the truck, releasible friction brake devices for yieldingly resisting swivelling movement of said wheels, and control means operable at will during traveling of the truck to effect application and release of said brake devices, thereby to control swivelling of said wheels and steering of the truck. Lf'

9. In a truck, a truck body, supporting wheels therefor including pairs of front and rear steering and propelling wheels, said pairs of wheels lswivelled to turn independently about vertical axes, driving motors, lone individual to each wheel, for effecting propulsion of the truck, means for independently controlling said motors to effect swivelling of said wheels, thereby to steer the truck, releasible friction brake devices for yieldingly resisting swivelling movement of said wheels, anad means operable at will during traveling of the truck for independently or concurrently controlling said friction brake devices, thereby'to control swivelling of the wheels and steering of the truck. 10. In a truck, the combination comprising a truck body, supporting and propulsion means for said body including propelling means for said body including a swivelled housing, motorV means for driving said propelling means, a cable reel having a power conductor cable wound thereon for conducting power to said motor means, and driving connections between an element of said propelling means and said reel, saidvdriving connections extending through the swivel for said housing. .t Y

11. In a truck, the combination comprising a truck body, supporting and propulsion means for said body including propelling means for said body including a swivelled housing, motor means for driving said propelling means, a cable reel having a power conductor cable wound thereon for conducting power to said motor means, driving connections between an element of said propelling means and said reel, said driving connections extending through the swivel for said housing, and means for disconnecting said reel from its driving connections.

12. A truck comprising, Ain combination, a truck body, traction means for supporting and propelling said truck body, front and rear axle housings for said traction means, said axle housings swivelled to swing independently relative to said truck body about vertical axes, frictional brake means for said axle housings respectively for independently yieldingly resisting swinging movement of said axle housings and for holding said axle housings against swinging movement. and control means operable at will during traveling of the truck to effect application and release of said brake means, thereby to control swivelling of. said axle housings and steering .of the truck.

ling of the truck to effect application and release of said brake means, thereby to control swivelling of said axle housingsy and steering of the truck.

14. A truck comprising, in combination, a truck body, supporting wheels for said truck body comprising pairs of front and rear traction wheels,

an axle housing for each pair of wheels, said axle housings swivelled to turn independently about upright axles relative to the truck body, motor means for independently driving said traction wheels, frictional brake means for independently frictionally controlling swinging movement of said axle housings and for yieldingly holding said axle housings against swinging movement, and control means operable at will during traveling of the truck to effect application and release of said brake means, thereby to control swivelling of said axle housings and steering of the truck. A

15. A truck comprising, in combination, a truck body, and running gear therefor including' a plurality of wheels and swivelled mounting means for said wheels including a swivelled axle housing, a frame connected to said truck body on a longitudinal axis and to which said axle housing is swivelly connected, said frame having laterally projecting arms, and resilient buil'ers between said arms and said truck body.

16. In a truck, the combination comprising a truck body, running gear therefor including a plurality of supporting wheels, swivelled mount- .ing means forsaid wheels comprising a swivelled JOSEPH F. JOY.

l- CERTIFICATE oF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,562,656. Novemberlh, 19ml.

JosEPHF. JOY. i

It'is hereby certified that error appears in-the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Pago3, first column, line ).h-for "throught" read --through--q page1, first column,1ine 55', claim 9, for "cned" read --andjw-g and second column, line 2T, claim l5, for "relatively" read "relative-j; line 1.1.5, claim 114, for "axles" read axes; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record'oi the case' in the Patent office. l

Signed and sealed this 20th day' of March, A. D. 1911.5.

Lesliel Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

